Like any other senior in high school, I was ready to move on. I'd done my time and it felt like I'd never get out. My friends and I would talk about college as if it were some magical place where everything was perfect and school work was better because you are learning about what you love. I love my hometown, but I was sure that I was ready for bigger and better things, to go out and be my own person. I was wrong.

I instantly knew this the second we pulled up in front of my dorm on move-in day. I had a pit in my stomach the size of a tennis ball and I was afraid to look away from my family in fear that they would disappear and I would never see them again. I thought I was excited about this whole "adventure" and I was confused at first. Why is this so hard? What's wrong with me? Nothing. And there's nothing wrong with you if you're homesick too. Here are blank things I've learned from being a homesick college freshman.

1. It's Okay

It's okay that you are homesick. This just means that you have people to miss. People who love you and support you. It is a fantastic thing to have people you know are behind you 100% and it's okay to miss having them around all the time.

2. Nothing is Going to Change at Home

Your mom is still going to work and making dinner at night. Your brother is still going to baseball and, yes, he's still annoying. Everything at home is the same even though you aren't there. You aren't missing anything big. You aren't sitting in your dorm room studying while they party at home. It's okay to miss the normalcy at home, but no matter where you are, the people who are there still love you and they miss you too.

3. Talk to Someone

It doesn't matter who it is. Talk to your friend, a counselor, a mentor. Literally, talk to anyone. Tell them how you are feeling and listen to their advice. If you talk to someone who has been through college before, then they know what you are going through. You'd be surprised at how many people went through or are going through the exact same thing as you. Getting it all out and knowing that someone else felt this way once too makes you feel a lot better. Trust me.

4. Don't Say No

I know that you want to stay in bed all day and do nothing but cry into your pillow that still smells like home, but that's not going to make it any better. When your friend wants to explore campus, do it. When a group of people wants to get pizza, do it. When you have class, go. Go to the gym, get dinner with your roommate, or just walk to the corner store with your friend. Getting up and moving around makes you feel a lot better and takes your mind off of home. If saying yes is your new rule, you will start to feel better a lot quicker. I promise.

5. It's Weird

This is a strange time in your life. When else in your life are you going to be sharing such tight quarters with anyone? The only living space you have doesn't have a kitchen, there are two beds in a room that should really only have one bed, and the closets are smaller than the coat closet at home. It's strange to have to share a room with a stranger and when, other than now, are you going to have to share a bathroom with 40 other people? Hopefully never. Like I said, this is an odd time in your life and it's okay to not feel great about it at first.

6. Call Your Mom

Your mom is the end all be all of wisdom and love. Nobody loves you like your mom does. No one knows you better than your mom does. Hearing her voice will surely make you feel better and no doubt she'll have some awesome advice and something comforting to say. Call her for nothing at all. Even if you're walking to class by yourself and just want to tell her that, I'm sure she'd love to know. Moms love knowing details about their kids' lives. They will listen to you tell them the same thing over and over again, and it will definitely make you feel better.

7. It's Okay to Go Home

Not everyone has the same college experience. You don't have to go out every weekend or play beer pong with Chad from Theta Beta Zeta Psi, or whatever. If you want to, more power to you. But that's not me and it's okay if it's not you either. Personally, I have a lot at home. My best friend lives there, my brother and I are super close, my niece and nephew are one and three and I miss them all the time, my boyfriend is in high school, and I just like to be at home. That's okay. I love my hometown and there's nothing wrong with that. If you want to go home on the weekends, then who's to say you can't? You aren't cheating yourself of your college years, you're just doing what makes you happy. That's always the best thing to do.

8. This is the Time to Live for Yourself

Do what you want to do. Be with the people that you want to be with. It's okay to be a little selfish. If you hate basketball, like me, then don't go to the basketball game. Stay in and read a book, watch a movie. If you're having issues with someone, cut them out! This isn't high school, you don't have to be a part of a group. You can be friends with whoever you want. Again, do what makes you happy!!!

9. Just Say You Tried

Trying is the best way to figure out if you like something. Maybe you went away to school for a whole year, and you still don't like it. You tried. Just because being away at school isn't for you doesn't mean you failed, you didn't fail. You succeeded. You tried it. And you would have never known that you didn't like it unless you did. So don't be ashamed to go home after a year and go somewhere close to home. There's nothing wrong with that.

10. Work Hard

There's nothing like getting your mind off of home with some good hard work. Be the best you can be. Your school work is going to pay off. You are working toward the rest of your life and if that isn't motivation enough, I don't know what is. Go to class, take notes, study hard, and get good grades. The payoff of that is worth the work and you'll have gotten so into doing well that you'll forget that you were homesick four months ago.